Since the inauguration of the publishing industry, the sector has been subjected to debates, discussions and scandals about the ethical conduct of the writers, editors, publishers and the dark clouds of plagiarism. Whilst many authors and publishers unknowingly infringe on the ethical rules regarding their line of work, there are others who choose to defy these rules, even when they are fully aware of what is and what is not lawful.

By breaking the ethical code of practice in the publishing sector, as in any other domain of activity, there are often injured parties. There is a real need for an organisation which is aimed at dealing with this important aspect of editorial work. Formed around an online community of editors, authors and publishers, PIE can collect information and distribute the knowledge regarding the ethical conduct in their line of work. The organisation sustains a route for the main individuals involved in the publishing environment to be well represented and have a proper way of contacting each other while dealing with infringements, should they arise.

Official publication of the Publication Integrity & Ethics (π)

The Publication Integrity & Ethics (also known as PIE) was developed recently to address these areas of serious concern and promote real editorial freedom among publishers. Its main purpose is to assist authors, editors, publishers, and board members of the various publications to define, comprehend and achieve the best practice in the ethics of publishing.

PIE’s mission

The Publication Integrity and Ethics organisational mission is one of great importance as it establishes and identifies a better ethical base for the future of the publishing environment; it achieves this through its PIE guidelines and a code of conduct for editors, authors, reviewers and publishers that clarifies the standards of a robust and ethical editorial behaviour.

Whilst the PIE organisation promotes editorial freedom, it also ensures that this freedom is not violated by editorial misconduct and plagiarism. PIE makes certain that all the editors and editorial staff as well as the plaintiffs – if misconduct is signalled - are represented and treated with respect. At the same time, it ensures they adhere to the PIE best practices stated in the PIE guidelines and follow the ethical code of conduct.

PIE’s Guidelines

PIE offers rigid guidelines and advice on all aspects related to the publishing domain, publication ethics, research ethics and misconduct. It also investigates complaints about PIE members and adherents who did not follow the guidelines, and which are susceptible to unethical conduct. Individual editors are encouraged to make deeper investigation into such problems; they should also see that they are reviewed and taken into consideration by the appropriate authorities that are legally supposed to take action in these matters.

While the organisation promotes its own set of rules, if PIE’s main guidelines are considered to be rigid and hard to comprehend, PIE also provides a simplified code of conduct for each publishing sector, a basic set of rules and guidelines that need to be followed to the letter in order to maintain the ethical publishing environment.

These guidelines are developed for the main purpose of defining the standards of a good and ethical editorial conduct. Authors, editors and publishers are encouraged to take their roles as creators, managers and guardians of the publishing organisation, and of the journals or magazines they represent seriously; they should take swift action when allegations of editorial misconduct appear. To treat these allegations with the utmost regard and objectivity and to ensure that if they are justified, no such things will occur again in the future is the correct course of action.

PIE works closely with all adherent publishers and editors to establish the standards of best practice; they ensure that any ethical matters, errors or plagiarism offences are dealt in a professional way through specialised review and counsel if necessary. The membership is free, as are the main services offered by the PIE organisation. The organisation provides full access to the information and the ethical guidelines; it offers advice to subscribers, whether they are publishers, editors, editorial board members, reviewers or authors.